For, for starters, the venue was named after one of the par excellence football administrator George “Kid Action” Thabe. The late Ntate Thabe was the former National Professional Soccer League Chairman. In heart-to-heart interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport, Motsoatsoe said he missed those days when he and his family would watch football matches on the weekends. He said the weekends are no longer the same without football.
Also read: One in four South Africans targeted by COVID-19 scams
He said sometimes he found himself sitting on the stands alone watching empty the field. Motsoatsoe said he doesn’t get used to the fact that there are no games because of COVID-19. To make it interesting, he has been the Stadium caretaker for the past 40 years and witnessed some great football matches played at venue when Vaal Professionals still campaigned in the top flight football.
“I will be lying if I say I don’t miss this beautiful game because for the rest of my life I have been staying at this venue as caretaker taking care of it since 1978. I have watched great players playing right here when Vaal Professionals especially playing against the like of Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows Limited. Look I’m an Orlando Pirates supporter and watching those great players for free was a great honoured for me”, said Motsoatsoe. Some of the greatest players Motsoatsoe watched at venue included the likes of Harari Makhubela, Toy Ramosa, Meshack Mjemqeka, Andries “Six Mabone” Maseko, Joe “Ace” Mnini, The Great Makgopela and many others.
Also read: Level 3: ‘Your last name may decide when you can buy booze’
This was long ago, before the stadium was upgraded. Motsoatsoe asked this journalist when football will resume saying he starving for action. When Sedibeng Ster Sport visited the stadium there were some youngsters playing football outside the venue. They told this journalist that they are bored and want to play football. Sadly they didn’t comply with lockdown regulations as they didn’t wear face-masks. When asked where their face-masks are they told this journalist that they were their bags.
